Blocked paths – report them now

Following an exchange of views on social media we have received several more complaints about obstructions on foot and cycle paths.

In the main this is caused by overgrown hedges but in some cases low hanging tree branches are to blame while the, still out of control, infestation of hazardous weeds like nettles and brambles remains a problem.

Most of the overgrowing vegetation is the York Councils responsibility to cut back.

We urge residents to Report any issues. (Just don’t expect to get any feedback from the Council!)

If no action is taken then escalate the issue to your local Councillor.

We think getting problems like these sorted out should be a top priority for the Council as such obstacles represent an increased hazard as nightfall creeps ever earlier.

Several obstructions on the York Cycle network

Piling on the grief at Hob Moor school

Contractors at the new centre for disabled children on Ascot Way were piling yesterday. The site is only a few metres from the school so it is unfortunate that the nosiest work couldn’t be completed before the new school term started.

The residents association at their meeting on Wednesday are likely to be demanding answers to questions about why work on the replacement off street games facilities for young people haven’t been started yet.

Residents were promised 6 months ago that an all weather surface would be provided at Thanet Road together with an outdoor gym.

Neither has appeared although the Kingsway MUGA was closed some 3 months ago

More on weed control in York

The Council has now replied to our complaint about inadequate weed control on public areas this summer.

They candidly accept now that the spraying has not been satisfactory.

They are now commencing a re-spray. The spray will include a colouring agent which will show which areas have received attention.

Weeds on the A59 have not been treated

This will be supplemented by Council staff who will work on areas not included on the contract. The areas near Poppleton on the A59 are a high priority.

Another problem has developed with obstructions to public cycle and footpaths.

Again the path on the A59 is one that is blocked

Path near Poppleton is still blocked
Brambles over growing the cycle path on Tadcaster Road may become a safety issue with darker nights coming.
Bushes are impeding access to the Hob Moor cycle track
Hedges blocking the cycle path at the rear of Hob Stones still haven’t been cut back
Someone has spent some time on this graffiti near the southern by pass
But less time on this!

Resurfacing works on Hawthorn Grove and Mill Lane in Heworth

City of York Council will carry out resurfacing works on Hawthorn Grove and Mill Lane between Monday 16 and Friday 27 September.

The works on Hawthorne Grove will take place between Monday 16 to Friday 20 September, between 7.30pm and 5am.

This will require a road closure from, and including, the mini-roundabout at Harcourt Street up to, but not including, the Eboracum Way junction. Mill Lane will also be closed but residents’ access will be maintained via Heworth Green.

The works on Mill Lane will be carried out between Monday 23 and Friday 27 September between 8am and 5pm. There will be a road closure from Heworth Green up to, but not including, the mini-roundabout at Harcourt Street.

The works will consist of resurfacing the road and the reinstatement of all road markings. In order to carry out these works safely the use of temporary road closures will be necessary whilst works are taking place. A clearly signed diversion route will be set out for all traffic.

All on street parking will be suspended at these times but any specific access requirements may be arranged by speaking to the site traffic management operativesm who will co-ordinate with residents and business requirements around ongoing construction operations.

Any vehicle remaining on the street during the suspension time may be liable to a parking fine and removal costs.

Household waste and recycling collections will take place as normal. For Mill Lane, residents are asked to ensure bins are placed on the kerbside by 7am on the day of collection.

During the closure of Hawthorn Grove, bus service 6 will be diverted via Eboracum Way, Heworth Green, Heworth Road, and Melrosegate (not serving Fifth Ave or Fourth Ave). Coastliner will be diverted via Eboracum Way, Heworth Green (not serving East Parade or Heworth Road).

In addition to the above, the council will be carrying out kerbing and drainage works between Monday 9 and 13 September on Hawthorn Grove working 9.15am – 4pm and also on Mill Lane on Monday 16 to Saturday 21 September working 9.15am – 4pm.

During these works the road will be open as normal to travel through, but all on street parking will need to be suspended during these times.

Emergency services will be permitted through the works at all times. Cyclists will have to dismount and use the footways.

As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience to the public, however the council will try at all times to keep any disruption to a minimum.

For more information about roadworks in York visit: www.york.gov.uk/roadworks

Blitz on weeds starts in York

We are told that a new round of weed spraying has started.

The Council will also send an “in house” team out to deal with problem locations such as traffic islands.

The news comes after 3 months of complaints. Many parts of the city had become overgrown.

Earlier this week an official admitted that several key entrance roads into the City – including the A59 – had been omitted from the contract specification

The councils spaying contractor is understood to have taken on new staff in an attempt to improve quality standards.

The weeds should start to die back after a few days. Councillors are being asked to report any areas which might be missed. Residents should therefore highlight issues to their local representative.

In the mean time we have reported several new problem locations

Blocked gully in Queenswood Grove
Chesney Field snicket choked with cans and weeds. Vegetation needs cutting back
Weed growth and poor sweeping in St Pauls Square
Weeds overwhelming Baildon Close
Weeds in Otterwood Lane and nearby snicket
Tithe Close snicket needs a good clean
Several back lanes in the Milner Street/Severus Street area are obstructed by overgrown hedges

West York neighbourhood planning boundary proposal set to be rejected

The Councils leadership is being recommended to reject a proposal which would have seen a joint neighbourhood plan prepared covering the Acomb and Westfield Wards. The proposal was widely criticised as being ”too big” to meet a key community of interest test.

The majority of respondents to the Councils consultation opposed the plan.

Opponents included the local residents association, an action group and the Westfield ward Councillors. (The Acomb Ward Councillors didn’t respond to the consultation)

A report points out the proposed population of the planning area at 23,440 is 4 x the optimum size of 5500 suggested by central; government legislation.

A council official claims that a parallel proposal to create a “Neighbourhood Forum” could be approved although the report fails to analyse claims that the governance structure of the proposed body is bogus.  The forum was criticised by consultees as introducing unnecessary additional bureaucracy at least in the Westfield area where several residents groups already operate.

The report author concludes that a Neighbourhood Plan, including a revised “forum”, could be approved for the Acomb ward only.

We believe that the plan to exclude the Westfield area is correct.

However the proposal to jump to an “Acomb Ward only” model is premature. Such a move would rule out drawing up a neighbourhood plan for the Front Street area. Part of this district includes the Acomb Ward side of York Road which would be subject to a different plan under the new proposals.

Front Street in older times. This part of Westfield may require better protection.

No consideration has been given to including the area of land between the built-up area and the A1237 northern by pass) in any new arrangements, thereby failing to recognise the importance given by many residents in the area to the protection of open space.

The Council should simply reject the current ill-considered neighbourhood forum and plan proposals which are before it.

New proposals may then emerge which could be subject to re-consultation.

Appeal for information following a serious assault on Hob Moor

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about a serious assault that occurred recently in the Hob Moor area of York.

It happened at around 6pm on Wednesday 4 September and involved the serious assault of a 64-year-old local man who was walking his dog on Hob Moor.

The victim received facial injuries and lacerations to his mouth which required hospital treatment.

As a result of the current police investigation, a 63-year-old man from York was arrested and has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

We are asking for the public’s help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

In particular we are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward with any information they have.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Phil Kennedy. You can also email philip.kennedy@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12190164399.

Council taxpayers to foot £605,000 bill for sports pavilion

The Council have now appointed a contractor to build a “Pavilion, Clubhouse and Changing Rooms” on Tadcaster Road near Sim Balk Lane.

It will become the home of a football team currently based in Bishopthorpe.

The contract was won by Fullwood of Pontefract

The cost is an eye watering £605,000.

In total the project is expected to cost £1.5 million. £491,000 has already been spent on new pitches.

Taxpayers money

This compared to the costs of new modular changing rooms which are available from less than £40,000 from a number of companies.

These include Sports Changing Rooms and York’s own Portakabin

The cost of the pavilion is controversial because it is being partly funded from monies generated by building on playing fields at Lowfield.

More modest changing facilities would have allowed the surplus to be used to provide an all-weather games area to replace both the facilities lost at Lowfields and also the Kingsway West children’s games area which the Council demolished earlier in the summer.

The Council has still not made any public announcement about the replacement games area which could be located on Thanet Road.